NITDA Reiterates Commitment To Digital Inclusion For Persons With Disabilities
By Angeline Mgbele, Bureau Chief, Northern Nigeria
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive digital development following the completion of a two-day digital literacy training for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Abuja, Cyber Era NG learns. The training was held Tuesday.
According to a press statement e-signed by the Director of Corporate Communications & External Relations at NITDA, Hajia Hadiza Umar, the programme, organised under NITDA’s Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, trained 50 participants in practical digital skills to enhance their participation in Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
In his remarks, the NITDA Director-General, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, stated that the programme reflected the agency’s determination to ensure accessibility remained a core component of national digital transformation efforts.
Mallam Abdullahi explained that genuine digital advancement could not be realised without the inclusion of persons with disabilities, adding that millions of Nigerians remained constrained by limited access to accessible and inclusive digital platforms.
“In many cases, the problem is not the absence of digital tools but the lack of accessibility. Platforms that do not support assistive technologies, non-captioned content and inaccessible websites effectively shut people out and limit opportunities,” Abdullahi added.
He further explained that the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritised inclusivity as a driver of national development and stressed that persons with disabilities should be recognised as active contributors to economic growth rather than dependants.
“When equipped with the right skills and technologies, persons with disabilities become innovators, entrepreneurs and professionals who contribute meaningfully across sectors,” he added.
The NITDA boss acknowledged the role of Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and SIMBED in delivering the training, describing the collaboration as a model of how government and civil society partnerships could advance inclusive development.
Highlighting NITDA’s broader digital literacy drive, the Director-General said the DL4ALL programme was a key component of the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, which targeted 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
He explained that the initiative operated through three main tracks: an informal sector programme that had trained more than 480,000 Nigerians across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory since September 2024; an education sector programme focused on embedding digital skills into learning institutions; and a workforce readiness programme designed to strengthen digital competence in both public and private sectors.
“This programme is not merely a pilot. It is proof that inclusive and intentional training works, and that persons with disabilities can excel when given equal opportunities,” Abdullahi stated.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SIMBED, Daniel Onunkwo, described the training as a significant step towards closing the digital inclusion gap for persons with disabilities.
Mr. Onunkwo added that the initiative sent a strong message about equity and national progress, adding that SIMBED remained committed to expanding digital empowerment for persons with disabilities.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association, Grace Jerry, represented by Tracy Agbamu, commended NITDA for demonstrating intentional leadership in promoting inclusion under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She urged participants to continue applying the skills acquired and to serve as digital inclusion advocates within their communities.
Cyber Era NG understands that the training programme further strengthens NITDA’s vision of building a digitally inclusive Nigeria where access to digital opportunities is determined not by physical ability but by empowerment and innovation.
